Enter Yamaha, a leader in stage-ready acoustic technology for decades – and in the A5R ARE, it may have just offered us a very desirable solution. There is traditionally a gap between how we enjoy the sound of our guitars and the way they’re represented plugged in. For the price bracket, there is very little to complain about - it’s more playable than some acoustics three times the price, looks and sounds great and is firmly in-budget for many acoustic guitarists. The Newporter is a fairly standard Grand Auditorium style body, of which the dimensions lend themselves to a rich, versatile tone that will accompany a voice with tactful presence.įender’s acoustic guitars have always been super comfortable and easy to play, and this Newporter is no different - with a slim “C”-shaped neck most comparable to that of an electric guitar. For the price, an all-solid construction is an impressive feat - with the solid spruce top and mahogany back & sides delivering rounded, warm tones or punchy, bright midrange depending on your playing style. The spec list of this Newporter iteration is one which vastly exceeds expectations. In the age of modern reissues of vintage instruments, it’s only fair that Fender reissues their killer Newporter acoustic guitar - and we’re glad they did.
Read our full Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany review After all, why should new players settle for just okay when they need to be comfortable and inspired? And there’s no reason why this dreadnought wouldn’t be a good addition for anyone else, too. The result is something that’s genuinely inspiring to play and chimes in chord work, and one of the best acoustic guitars for newcomers or those looking for a second acoustic. The mid-character of mahogany is certainly here, bringing some meat to a brightness usually associated with spruce tops (remember what we said about no hard and fast rules with tonewoods?). The CD-60S' intonation is great out of the box, too, though not too low to make us wary of alternate tunings. Instead, we're offered a solid-wood mahogany top, laminated mahogany back/sides and an inviting rolled fretboard edge. We've come far since the days of high-action, poor tuning stability and shoddy construction that used to mark out lower-priced models.
The entry model of the Classic Design Series is a good reminder of just how much guitar you can get for your money at the more affordable end of the market. Obviously, quality like this doesn't come cheap, but if you're looking for a timeless, rich-sounding guitar, look no further than the Martin D28. It's easy to take this revolutionary guitar for granted now, but it really was a game-changer back in the day. Martin set a new benchmark when they invented the dreadnought shape all those years ago.
Very little has changed since this deep-bodied dreadnought was introduced in 1931. It may be an obvious choice, but the Martin D28 is our top pick for the best acoustic guitar, overall.
We’ve featured these guitars in price order to make it easier to find the right one for your budget. So read on to see our top picks, and let us guide you through the process. No matter which guitar you choose, it's sure to be your musical companion for years to come, so making the right decision is important. This guide explores flawless high-end investment pieces, modern classics, and affordable guitars that offer incredible value for money. In that case, you'll find more helpful information in our guide to the best acoustic guitars for beginners. Suppose you're new to the wide world of acoustic guitars.
Frankly, it's pretty difficult to buy a lousy guitar these days - especially if you stick to the big brands.
Over the past decade or so, we've witnessed a massive leap in the quality of acoustic guitars at lower price points.